By Business & Finance 
Professor Kevin O’Connor, founder, Bioplastech
Business & Finance highlights some of the top movers and shakers in Ireland.
What is it?
Bioplastech, a start-up company, is promoting the use of natural rather than fossil (oil) based polymers. The company is using a patented manufacturing technology process to convert waste materials and natural resources into high value-added, environmentally friendly (i.e. biodegradable) polymers. Bioplastech’s biodegradable polymers are produced naturally by bacteria and the company is converting these polymers into adhesive products that can be used on tapes, labels and packaging. Bioplastech is the only manufacturer of bio-based biodegradable adhesives and the company is currently testing these with a number of international adhesive companies.
Who’s behind it?
Bioplastech, which currently employs a staff of seven, is a University College Dublin spin-out company. The company was founded by Professor Kevin O’Connor, a professor at the UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science and principal investigator at the UCD Earth Institute, along with Dr Ramesh Babu from Trinity College Dublin, and Italian entrepreneur Enrico Altieri.
The company was established in 2009 after completing the NovaUCD Campus Company Development Programme (now renamed the UCD VentureLaunch Accelerator Programme).
Bioplastech is currently market-testing its adhesive products and is seeking to raise significant investment to enable the company to build a demonstration production plant to supply sufficient quantities of its green products into the market.
Bioplastech has to date been funded by angel investors and contract sales.
Business & Finance, Ones to Watch
Business & Finance, in association with Comtrade Digital Services, recognises Ireland’s most dynamic emerging businesses in ‘Ones to Watch’.
Ireland is alive with a vibrant start-up scene and the entrepreneurs featured are shaping the country’s economic landscape.
